Localization System for Mounting Game in Portable Storage Device on Game Console and Method Therefor

ABSTRACT

A localization system for mounting a game includes at least a portable storage device, wherein each portable storage device comprising a target word unit, linked to small database having an identification code, wherein small database accesses a logic allocation unit comprising at least one file and each file comprises a file identification code; and a game console, comprising at least an interface, linked to a storage unit storing at least an application program for linking portable storage device and for downloading or overwriting existing file; and a central process unit; wherein the application program is utilized to access small database and display relevant information about file having file identification code corresponding to identification code of small database; wherein when game is selected to be executed, central process unit loads file of game into a free space in a main memory of game console and executes file of game.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation application of application Ser. No.14/289,668, filed May 29, 2014, which is a continuation-in-partapplication of application Ser. No. 13/684,177, filed Nov. 22, 2012,which is incorporated herein by reference for all purposes.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The invention relates to a localization technology of mounting a game,in a portable storage device, on a game console, and more particularly,to a localization system for mounting a game, in a portable storagedevice, on a game console and a method therefor, capable of promptlymounting a game on the game console without installation and of savingtime of file transfer to an internal hard disk of the game console.

2. Description of the Prior Art

A conventional game console usually requires the mounting of the gameprograms stored in an external portable storage device into an internalhard disk before activating them. When there are a large number of gameprograms in the portable storage device, mounting these game programswould take a significant amount of time. The limited space in theinternal hard disks allows only a limited number of game programs. Theinternal hard disk also leads to the bulky size of the game device andits poor portability and high cost.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

A major objective of the present invention is to promptly mount a gameusing an asynchronous localization technology to simulate a portablestorage device as an internal hard disk in a game console, therebyenhancing the game console's effectiveness. Additionally, the gameconsole has a reduced dimension and can have a game promptly mountedthereon without any hard disk.

In order to achieve the objective of the present invention, a gameconsole and a portable storage device data-linked with the game consoleare provided. The portable storage device comprises a target (i.e. atarget word unit) data-linked with a header (i.e. a small database)having an identification code, capable of reading a logic allocationunit containing at least a file, where the file has a gameidentification code corresponding to the identification code in theheader and thus can be precisely located and accessed by the smalldatabase (i.e. header). The game console is data-linked with theportable storage device through at least an interface which isdata-linked with a storage unit of the game console. The storage unithas an application program that is to access the file having a gameidentification code corresponding to the identification code in thesmall database, and load the file into a free space of a main memory ofthe game console. When a user select a game to play through acontroller, a central processing unit (CPU) loads the file into the freespace in the main memory and executes the file. As such, the gameconsole's accessing the portable storage device is completed. On theother hand, when a user selects a game to play in the applicationprogram's menu through a controller, the CPU can directly load the fileof the identification code, for example 01, into the free space in themain memory and execute the file. As such, the promptly mounting andlocalizing a game is completed.

The foregoing objectives and summary provide only a brief introductionto the present invention. To fully appreciate these and other objects ofthe present invention as well as the invention itself, all of which willbecome apparent to those skilled in the art, the following detaileddescription of the invention and the claims should be read inconjunction with the accompanying drawings. Throughout the specificationand drawings identical reference numerals refer to identical or similarparts.

Many other advantages and features of the present invention will becomeapparent to those versed in the art upon making reference to thedetailed description and the accompanying sheets of drawings in which apreferred structural embodiment incorporating the principles of thepresent invention is shown by way of illustrative example.

These and other objectives of the present invention will no doubt becomeobvious to those of ordinary skill in the art after reading thefollowing detailed description of the preferred embodiment that isillustrated in the various figures and drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a block view of a portable storage device in accordance withthe present invention.

FIG. 2 is a block view of a game console in accordance with the presentinvention.

FIG. 3 is a flow chart of a method for the game console readinginformation of the portable storage device in accordance with thepresent invention.

FIG. 3A is a schematic view in accordance with an embodiment of thepresent invention.

FIG. 3B is a schematic view of a menu of the game console's applicationprogram in accordance with the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a block flow chart of running a game in accordance with thepresent invention.

FIG. 5 is a flow chart of steps of a computer acting as the game consoleto transmit files in accordance with the present invention.

FIG. 6 is a flow chart of steps of downloading from a server by the gameconsole connecting with the portable storage device in accordance withthe present invention.

FIG. 7 is a flow chart of steps of verifying if a game can be normallyoperated or displayed and of connecting with at least a server to updatethe file in accordance with the present invention.

FIG. 8 is a layout of the main memory in accordance with the presentinvention.

FIG. 9 is a first schematic structural view of expanding the file.

FIG. 10 is a second schematic structural view of expanding the file.

FIG. 11 is another flow chart of a method for the game console readinginformation of the portable storage device in accordance with thepresent invention.

FIG. 12 is yet another flow chart of a method for the game consolereading information of the portable storage device in accordance withthe present invention.

FIG. 13 is a schematic structural view showing small database andauxiliary databases of the present invention.

FIG. 14 is a schematic structural view of multiple game consoles sharinga single portable storage device of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The following descriptions are exemplary embodiments only, and are notintended to limit the scope, applicability or configuration of theinvention in any way. Rather, the following description provides aconvenient illustration for implementing exemplary embodiments of theinvention. Various changes to the described embodiments may be made inthe function and arrangement of the elements described without departingfrom the scope of the invention as set forth in the appended claims.

As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, a localization system according to anembodiment of the present invention contains a portable storage device 1and a game console 2.

The portable storage device 1 can be a Multimedia Card (MMC), a SecureDigital (SD) card, a MINI card, a MD card, a FLASH memory, a hard disk,or a similar memory device capable of storing files. The portablestorage device 1 contains a target word unit (i.e., target) 11data-linked to a small database (i.e., header) 12 having anidentification code. The small database 12 is data-linked to aconfiguration unit having a cover data, configuration data, etc. (notshown, and the cover data or configuration data can be directly encodedinto the small database 12). The small database 12 can access a logicallocation unit 14 which contains at least a file 141. The file 141 hasa game identification code corresponding to the identification code sothat the small database 12 can precisely locate the file 141. The file141 also has a game title, a game program, or game sound data, or gamegraphic data, etc.

The game console 2 can be a computer, a tablet computer, a smart phone,a XBOX, a XBOX 360, a Playstation2 (PS2), a Playstation3 (PS3), aNintendo Wii, a Nintendo64 (N64), or a similar electronic appliancecapable of interacting with user. The game console 2 contains at leastan interface 21 for performing data transmission through WIFI,Bluetooth, USB, RS-454, IEEE1394, SATA, and Thunderbolt, Lighting, SDcard socket (e.g., in a cellular phone), or any wired or wireless datatransmission means. The interface 21 provides transmission functionssuch data downloading or overwriting existing files. The interface 21 isdata-linked to a storage unit 22 which stores at least an applicationprogram. The application program is utilized to access the smalldatabase 12 and display the relevant information about the file 141whose game identification code is corresponding to the identificationcode of the small database 12. When a user wants to select a game toplay, the user makes the selection through a controller 23. A centralprocess unit (CPU) 24 loads the file 141 into a free space in a mainmemory 25 of the game console 2, and executes the file 141. Theinterface 21 is able to data-link to at least a preset server 3, and theapplication program is able to compare the small database 12's gameinformation with a game database in the server 3. Based on thecomparison result, a new file is downloaded or overwrites the existingfile 141.

Additionally, the game console 2 may contain at least an optionaloptical disk apparatus to access an optical-disk storage medium 4 and todownload a file from the optical-disk storage medium 4 into the logicallocation unit 14 when a user selects and executes the installation ofa game through the application program's menu. The cover data orconfiguration data in the optical-disk storage medium 4 is alsodownloaded into the configuration unit's respective blocks for the coverdata or the configuration data. Relevant gaming information is alsorecorded in the small database 12 for increasing the speed of running agame.

As shown in FIGS. 1 to 3B, a process of accessing the portable storagedevice 1 by the game console 2 contains the following steps.

In step (a), an application program installed in the storage unit 22 ofthe game console 2 is activated.

In step (b), the application program searches the at least one interface21 to determine whether the portable storage device 1 is connected. Ifyes, the process enters the step (c). Otherwise, the process enters thestep (g).

In step (c), the target word unit 11 stored in the portable storagedevice 1 is searched. If the target word unit 11 is found, the processenters the step (d). Otherwise, the process enters the step (g).

In step (d), game information in the small database 12 is searched. Iffound, the process enters the step (e). Otherwise, the process entersthe step (g).

In step (e), the presence of a cover data or a configuration datacorresponding to the identification code of the small database 12 ischecked. If yes, the process enters the step (f). Otherwise, the processenters the step (g).

In step (f), a configuration unit is accessed for the cover data or theconfiguration data.

In step (g), the cover data or the configuration data, if present, isdisplayed by the application program on a screen of the game console 2.

As shown in FIG. 4, after the game console 2 obtains the cover data orthe configuration data in the portable storage device 1, a user can pickand run a game from the screen. The process is as follows.

In step (10), the application program displays relevant game informationin a menu on the screen.

In step (11), if the user picks a game to run, the process enters thestep (12). Otherwise, the process returns to the step (10).

In step (12), the selected game's file 141 in the portable storagedevice 1 is accessed.

In step (13), the file 141 is executed.

As shown in FIG. 5, a process of accessing the portable storage device 1by the game console 2, which is a computer, contains the followingsteps.

In step (a), the application program is activated and the applicationprogram searches the at least one interface 21 to determine whether theportable storage device 1 is connected. If yes, the process enters thestep (b). Otherwise, the process enters the step (e).

In step (b), the target word unit 11 stored in the portable storagedevice 1 is searched. If the target word unit 11 is found, the processenters the step (c). Otherwise, the process enters the step (c1).

In step (c1), whether the portable storage device 1 is formatted ischecked. If yes, the process enters the step (c2). Otherwise, theprocess enters the step (e).

In step (c2), the target word unit 11, the small database 12, the logicallocation unit 14, the cover block, or configuration block areestablished. The process enters the step (e).

In step (c), game information in the small database 12 is searched. Iffound, the process enters the step (d); otherwise, the process entersthe step (e).

In step (d), whether the game identification code of the file 141 in thelogic allocation unit 14 is corresponding to the identification code ofthe small database 12 is checked. If yes, the file 141 exists.

In step (e), the application program displays relevant game informationon a screen of the computer.

In step (f), a game in the computer is selected.

In step (g), whether the game identification code of the game's file 141in the computer is corresponding to the identification code of the smalldatabase 12 is checked. If yes, the process returns to the step (f).Otherwise, the process enters the step (h).

In step (h), the file 141 is transmitted to the logic allocation unit 14or the configuration unit. The identification code is established in thesmall database 12.

As shown in FIG. 6, after the portable storage device 1 is mounted onto(i.e., is connected to) the game console 2 and a selection from a menudisplayed by the application program is made, the process of linking anddownloading from the server contains the following steps:

In step (a), the application program has accessed the game informationspecified by the selection from the menu.

In step (b), a connection of the game console 2 to the server 3 istried. If the connection is established, the process enters the step(c). Otherwise, the process enters the step (h).

In step (c), the game information in the portable storage device 1 iscompared against a game database in the server 3. If they are identical,the process enters the step (d). Otherwise, the process enters the step(f).

In step (d), a file is downloaded into the game console 2.

In step (e), the file is downloaded into the logic allocation unit 14 ofthe portable storage device 1. The game information is established inthe small database 12.

In step (f), whether the file has been updated is checked. If yes, theprocess enters the step (g). Otherwise, the process enters the step (h).

In step (g), the file is written into the logic allocation unit 14 orthe configuration unit.

In step (h), the application program returns to show the menu.

As shown in FIG. 7, after the portable storage device 1 is mounted ontothe game console 2 and a selection from a menu displayed by theapplication program is made, the process of updating the file containsthe following steps.

In step (a), the application program has accessed the game informationspecified by the selection from the menu, and a menu is displayed.

In step (b), a menu item for checking or updating file is selected.

In step (c), a connection of the game console 2 to the server 3 istried. If the connection is established, the process enters the step(d). Otherwise, the process enters the step (g).

In step (d), the game information in the portable storage device 1 iscompared against a game database in the server 3. If the game program isnot present, the process enters the step (e). If game information in theserver 3 and that in the game database are different, the file is notpresent and the process enters the step (e). If game information and thegame database are the same, the file is present or the file is presentbut damaged, the process enters the step (f).

In step (e), the file is downloaded into the game console 2 from theserver 3. The process enters the step (g).

In step (f), the file is downloaded or is forcefully downloaded into thegame console 2. The process enters the step (f1).

In step (f1), the existing file is overwrote by the newly downloadedfile.

In step (g), the application program returns to show the menu.

As shown in FIG. 8, in the main memory 25 of the game console 2, thereis at least a game information 121 which contains an identification code1211, and may further contain a game title 1212, a file start section1213 indicating a corresponding file's start location in the logicallocation unit 14, and a cover data 1214 for the game. When a userpicks a game to play from the menu provided by the application program,a file 141 in the logic allocation unit 14 having a game identificationcode corresponding to the identification code 1211 of the gameinformation 121 therefore can be quickly located, loaded into a freespace in the main memory 25, and then executed. The file 141 alsocontains the game title, the game program, or the game sound data, orthe game graphic data. For the other game information 121 that is notpicked, they are ignored, thereby achieving the asynchronouslocalization.

As shown in FIG. 9, if viewed from the perspective of the storagemedium, there are multiple files 141 in the logic allocation unit 14.Each file 141 is packaged as a game block. When a file 141 is selectedand unpacked, the game block contains a game identification code, a gametitle, a game program, or game sound data, or game graphic data. Asshown in FIG. 10, if viewed from the perspective of the game console 2,there are multiple game blocks. Each game block contains a gameidentification code, a game title, a game program, or game sound data,or game graphic data. Please note that the file can be a compressed fileor any package file. Additionally, a file of FIG. 9 is basicallyidentical to a game block of FIG. 10 as the difference only lies in theperspective. Therefore, accessing a file can be deemed as accessing gameblock.

As shown in FIG. 11, the localization method contains the followingsteps.

In step (a), an application program installed in an internal storageunit 22 of a game console 2 is activated.

In step (b), the application program searches through at least aninterface 21 to determine whether a portable storage device 1 isconnected. If yes, the process enters the step (c). Otherwise, theprocess enters the step (e).

In step (c), a target word unit 11 in the portable storage device 1 issearched. If not found, the process enters the step (e). Otherwise, theprocess enters the step (d).

In step (d), game information in a small database 12 of the portablestorage device 1 is searched.

In step (e), the game information is returned to the application programand is displayed in a menu of the application program.

As shown in FIGS. 12 to 14, another embodiment of the localizationmethod contains the following steps.

In step (a), an application program installed in an internal storageunit of a game console is activated.

In step (b), the application program searches through at least aninterface to determine whether a portable storage device is connected.If yes, the process enters the step (c). Otherwise, the process entersthe step (f).

In step (c), a target word unit in the portable storage device issearched. If not found, the process enters the step (f). Otherwise, theprocess enters the step (d).

In step (d), game information in a small database (i.e., header) of theportable storage device is searched. If the game information is found,the process enters the step (e). Otherwise, the process enters the step(f).

In step (e), whether the small database has user partitions is checked.If there is no user partition, a number of auxiliary small databases areproduced. If a user partition is found, whether the user partition is inuse is further checked. If the user partition is idle, the userpartition is assigned to a new user.

In step (f), the game information is returned to the application programand is displayed in a menu of the application program.

Different from the previous embodiment, the present embodiment providesmany-to-one or one-to-many scenarios. When a first user logs in, thesmall database 5 automatically updates the data in the auxiliary smalldatabases 6, and uses the first auxiliary small database 6.Subsequently, when a second user logs in, a second auxiliary smalldatabase 6 can be used. As such, the first and second users do not havedata conflict when they conduct their game playing. In other words, eachuser has his/her own small databases. If a third user logs in, then athird auxiliary small database 6 can be used, and so on. In this way,when multiple users log in for playing games, each user has proprietarysmall database 5 or auxiliary small database 6 for game-relatedoperations, thereby avoiding data conflict from using a same smalldatabase. Subsequently, when the small database 5 is updated, theauxiliary small databases 6 can be updated synchronously so that eachuser is able to access the latest game menu.

While certain novel features of this invention have been shown anddescribed and are pointed out in the annexed claim, it is not intendedto be limited to the details above, since it will be understood thatvarious omissions, modifications, substitutions and changes in the formsand details of the device illustrated and in its operation can be madeby those skilled in the art without departing in any way from the spiritof the present invention.

Those skilled in the art will readily observe that numerousmodifications and alterations of the device and method may be made whileretaining the teachings of the invention. Accordingly, the abovedisclosure should be construed as limited only by the metes and boundsof the appended claims.

What is claimed is:
 1. A localization system for mounting a game,comprising: at least a portable storage device, wherein each of theportable storage device comprising: a target word unit, linked to asmall database having an identification code, wherein the small databaseaccesses a logic allocation unit comprising at least one file and theeach of the at least one file comprises a file identification code; anda game console, comprising: at least an interface, linked to a storageunit storing at least an application program for linking the portablestorage device and for downloading or overwriting the data; and acentral process unit (CPU); wherein the application program is utilizedto access the small database and display relevant information about thefile having the file identification code corresponding to theidentification code of the small database; wherein the CPU loads coverdata or configuration data into a free space in a storage unit of thegame console and displays the cover data or the configuration data toshow a menu.
 2. The localization system according to claim 1, whereinthe at least one interface links with a preset server for downloading orfor downloading or overwriting an existing file.
 3. The localizationsystem according to claim 1, wherein the small database is linked to aconfiguration unit; and the configuration comprises a cover block or aconfiguration block.
 4. The localization system according to claim 1,wherein the file comprises a game identification code, a game title, agame program, or game sound data, or game graphic data.
 5. Thelocalization system according to claim 1, wherein the game console is acomputer, a tablet computer, a smart phone, a XBOX, a XBOX360, a PS2, aPS3, a Wii, a N64, or a similar electronic appliance capable of userinteraction; the portable storage device is a MMC card, a SD card, aMINI card, a MD card, a FLASH memory, a hard disk, or a similar memorydevice capable of storing files; and the interface provides Bluetooth,USB, RS-454, IEEE1394, SATA, Thunderbolt, Lighting, SD card socket, orany data transmission means.
 6. The localization system according toclaim 1, wherein the game console further comprises at least an opticaldisk apparatus to access an optical disk storage medium and to downloadfiles from the optical-disk storage medium into the logic allocationunit.
 7. The localization system according to claim 3, wherein the stepsof linking and downloading from the server comprises: (a) havingaccessed a game information in the portable storage device by theapplication program; (b) conducting a connection of the game console tothe server; (c) comparing the game information in the portable storagedevice against a game database in the server; (f) checking whether thefile has been updated; (g) writing the new file into the logicallocation unit or the configuration unit; and (h) returning to show themenu by the application program.
 8. The localization system according toclaim 1, wherein, after the portable storage device is mounted onto thegame console and a selection from a menu displayed by the applicationprogram is made, the steps of updating the file comprises the steps of(a) accessing the game information specified by the selection from themenu and displaying a menu by the application program; (b) selecting amenu item for checking or updating the file; (c) conducting a connectionof the game console to the server; (d) comparing the game information inthe portable storage device against a game database in the server where,if identical, the file is present or the file is present but damaged,and step (f) is resumed; (e) downloading a new file into the gameconsole and then entering step (g); (f) downloading or forcefullydownloading a new file into the game console; (f1) overwriting the fileby the new file; and (g) returning to show the menu by the applicationprogram.
 9. The localization system according to claim 7, furthercomprising: (d) downloading a new file into the game console when thegame information and the game database in the server are not identical;and (e) downloading the new file into the logic allocation unit or intothe cover block or configuration block of the configuration unit,establishing the game information in the small database, and enteringstep (h).
 10. The localization system according to claim 1, wherein auser picks and runs a game from a screen of the game console.
 11. A gameconsole for accessing a portable storage device, wherein the steps ofthe game console accessing the portable storage device comprises: (a)activating the application program and searching the at least oneinterface to determine whether the portable storage device is connected;(b) searching the target word unit stored in the portable storage devicewhere, if found, step (c) is resumed; (c) searching game information inthe small database; (d) checking whether the file identification code ofthe at least one file in the logic allocation unit is corresponding tothe identification code of the small database where, if yes, the atleast one file is present; (e) displaying game information on a screenof the computer; (f) selecting a game in the computer; (g) checkingwhether the file identification code of the game's file in the computeris corresponding to the identification code of the small database where,if yes, step (f) is resumed; and (h) transmitting the file to the logicallocation unit or the configuration unit, and establishing theidentification code in the small database.
 12. The game consoleaccording to claim 11, further comprising: (c1) checking whether theportable storage device is formatted when the target word unit is notfound in the portable storage device where, if not, step (e) is resumed;and (c2) establishing the target word unit, the small database, thelogic allocation unit, the cover block, or the configuration block, andentering step (e).
 13. A localization method for mounting a game from aportable storage device onto a game console, comprising the steps of:(a) activating an application program installed in an internal storageunit of the game console; (b) searching at least an interface by theapplication program to determine whether the portable storage device isconnected; (c) searching a target word unit in the portable storagedevice; (d) searching game information in a small database where; (e)checking whether the small database has user partitions where, if thereis no user partition, a plurality of auxiliary small databases areproduced; if a user partition is found, whether the user partition is inuse is further checked; and, if the user partition is idle, the userpartition is assigned to a new user; and (f) displaying gameinformation, if present, on a screen of the game console.
 14. Alocalization method for mounting a game from a portable storage deviceonto a game console, comprising the steps of: (a) activating anapplication program installed in an internal storage unit of the gameconsole; (b) searching at least an interface by the application programto determine whether the portable storage device is connected; (c)searching a target word unit in the portable storage device; (d)searching game information in a small database is searched; (e) checkingthe presence of a cover data or a configuration data corresponding to anidentification code of the small database; (f) accessing a configurationunit for the cover data or the configuration data having a sameidentification code; (g) displaying the cover data or the configurationdata, if present, on a screen of the game console; (h) having accessedthe game information in the portable storage device by the applicationprogram; (i) conducting a connection of the game console to a server;(j) comparing the game information in the portable storage deviceagainst a game database in the server; (k) checking whether the file hasbeen updated; (l) writing the new file into the logic allocation unit orthe configuration unit; and (m) returning to show the menu by theapplication program.
 15. The localization method according to claim 14,further comprising: (n) downloading a new file into the game consolewhen the game information and the game database in the server are notidentical; and (o) downloading the new file into the logic allocationunit or into the cover block or configuration block of the configurationunit, establishing the game information in the small database, andentering step (m).
 16. A localization method for mounting a game from aportable storage device onto a game console, comprising the steps of:(a) activating an application program installed in an internal storageunit of the game console; (b) searching at least an interface by theapplication program to see if the portable storage device is connected;(c) searching a target word unit in the portable storage device; (d)searching game information in a small database; (e) displaying gameinformation, if present, on a screen of the game console; (f) havingaccessed the game information in the portable storage device by theapplication program; (g) conducting a connection of the game console toa server; (h) comparing the game information in the portable storagedevice against a game database in the server; (i) checking whether thefile has been updated; (j) writing the new file into the logicallocation unit or the configuration unit; and (k) returning to show themenu by the application program.
 17. The localization method accordingto claim 16, further comprising: (l) downloading a new file into thegame console when the game information and the game database in theserver are not identical; and (m) downloading the new file into thelogic allocation unit or into the cover block or configuration block ofthe configuration unit, establishing the game information in the smalldatabase, and entering step (k).